Natural England funding allows installation of new gates

23/09/2009

Crosby's idyllic country footpaths, gates and bridges have been given a much-needed makeover thanks to £500,000 of investment from Natural England.

The charity's flagship agri-environment scheme, Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), has enabled the creation of more than 19,000m of public footpaths in Cheshire, 55,000m in Cumbria and 21,000 in Lancashire since 2005, the Crosby Herald reports.

As well as paying to upgrade and repair paths for walkers, local farmers and landowners have been able to install new gates, stiles and bridges as a result of the funding boost.

"It's often a love of the land and the desire to see more people enjoying our countryside that motivates the majority of farmers and landowners who take up the permissive access options through HLS," commented HLS adviser Kate Doughty.

The news comes soon after it was reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post that work has restarted on a project designed to preserve the craft drystone of walling in the county, which will involve the installation of gates.